Overview
When a premium sports bar sets out to make live sport visible from every seat in the house, the AV distribution system behind it becomes the single most critical infrastructure decision. Let It Fly, an upscale sports bar and grill in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, needed a solution capable of driving 81 displays across multiple zones, including a signature 2×2 video wall spanning over 36 feet, all managed from a single point of control.
AVPro Edge’s MXNet AV over IP ecosystem delivered exactly that: unlimited source-to-display routing over standard ethernet, centralised management through the Mentor web interface, and zero post-installation service calls. AVD distributes the complete AVPro Edge MXNet range across Australia and New Zealand, giving integrators access to the same proven platform for hospitality, entertainment, corporate, and retail AV projects.
The Challenge: 81 Displays, Multiple Zones, One Seamless Experience
Let It Fly was designed with a clear brief: live sports visible at every angle, across every zone, without compromise. The venue’s scale made this a serious integration challenge.
- 81 displays across diverse zones. Two main dining areas seating 200 guests, an outdoor patio accommodating 100, a bar, and a casino each required independent content routing with consistent image quality across every screen.
- 16 simultaneous video sources. Multiple satellite receivers, cable feeds, and local content sources needed flexible routing to any combination of displays at any time, with the ability to change configurations on the fly during live events.
- A signature 36-foot feature wall. Four 110-inch displays arranged in a 2×2 video wall configuration demanded pixel-perfect alignment and seamless content delivery, serving as the venue’s centrepiece for marquee sporting events.
- Integrated audio distribution. Video content needed to be paired with zone-appropriate audio, requiring tight integration between the AV distribution system and the venue’s amplifiers and audio controllers.
- Cost-effective, scalable architecture. Traditional matrix switcher solutions capable of handling 16 sources to 81 displays would have required expensive proprietary hardware and extensive dedicated cabling runs throughout the venue.
The venue’s integrator, Dave Lawrence of L&S Video and Audio, a family-owned AV installation company operating in Sioux Falls for over 20 years, needed a distribution platform that could handle the scale without the complexity or cost of traditional matrix switching infrastructure.
The Solution: AVPro Edge MXNet AV Over IP Ecosystem
After consulting with AVPro Edge’s Pro AV team, including Loel Wheeler (Business Development Manager) and John Tumbleson (Product Development and Engineering), Dave selected the MXNet AV over IP ecosystem as the backbone of the entire installation.
MXNet distributes video, audio, and control signals over standard ethernet infrastructure, eliminating the need for dedicated AV cabling while providing unlimited source-to-display routing flexibility. The system leverages the venue’s existing network infrastructure, significantly reducing installation time and material costs compared to traditional approaches.
Products Deployed
| Product | Model | Function |
|---|---|---|
| MXNet Encoder | AC-MXNET-1G-E | Captures and encodes video from each source device for IP distribution |
| MXNet Decoder | AC-MXNET-1G-D | Receives and decodes video at each display endpoint |
| MXNet Control Box | AC-MXNET-CBOX | Centralised system management via Mentor web interface |
| MXNet Network Switch | AC-MXNET-SW48 | Purpose-built 48-port managed switch optimised for AV traffic |
How It Works
Encoders at each source device capture video and audio, converting the signal for IP-based transport across the network. Decoders at each of the 81 displays receive and render the content in real time. The Control Box running AVPro’s Mentor web interface provides a single management dashboard where staff can route any source to any display, configure video wall layouts, and manage audio zones, all from a browser on any device connected to the network.
The AC-MXNET-SW48 managed switches handle the network backbone, purpose-built for the bandwidth demands and low-latency requirements of AV over IP distribution. This eliminates the need to provision and manage separate enterprise network switches for AV traffic.
Key Outcomes and Results
- Complete system control from a single interface. The Mentor web dashboard gives venue staff full control over all 81 displays and 16 sources, enabling rapid content switching during live events without requiring technical expertise or integrator involvement.
- Seamless video wall performance. The 36-foot, four-display feature wall delivers pixel-perfect content alignment, creating a commanding visual centrepiece for marquee sporting events.
- Integrated audio-video distribution. MXNet’s audio capabilities integrate directly with the venue’s amplifiers and audio controllers, enabling zone-appropriate sound paired with the correct video feed across every area.
- Zero post-installation service calls. Since deployment, the system has operated without requiring any repairs, updates, or on-site support from the integrator or AVPro Edge, a testament to the platform’s reliability in a demanding 7-day-a-week hospitality environment.
- Straightforward installation. The integrator reported that MXNet was easy to install, with AVPro Edge’s engineering team available throughout the process to ensure optimal configuration across all displays and video walls.
As Dave Lawrence of L&S Video and Audio noted after the installation: “The best thing about this solution is that I have control of the full system.”
Why MXNet for Hospitality and Entertainment AV
- Unlimited scalability. Add encoders and decoders as the venue grows, with no matrix size limitations or expensive chassis upgrades
- Standard ethernet infrastructure. Leverages existing network cabling, dramatically reducing installation costs compared to dedicated AV cabling
- Centralised management. Browser-based Mentor interface enables non-technical staff to manage complex source-to-display routing
- Video wall support. Native mosaic and video wall capabilities without additional processing hardware
- Proven reliability. Mission-critical performance in 24/7 hospitality environments with zero downtime
- Integrated audio. Combined audio and video distribution eliminates the need for separate audio matrix systems
Partner With AVD for MXNet AV Over IP Solutions
Audio Visual Distributors is the authorised distributor for the complete AVPro Edge MXNet ecosystem across Australia and New Zealand. Whether you are designing a multi-display sports bar, a corporate digital signage network, or an entertainment venue requiring flexible content routing, AVD offers expert technical consultation, system design support, and reliable local supply to ensure your AV over IP deployment delivers from day one.
